Tape having weft-insert warp knit fabric reinforcement

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a tape that comprises a weft-inserted warp knit fabric, which utilizes a combination stitch to secure the wales of the fabric. The combination stitch comprises a majority of successive chain stitches that are used with a minority of subsequent successive tricot stitches, such that the stitch follows the expression x+y, where x is the number of successive chain stitches and y is the number of subsequent successive tricot stitches. Contemplated x values are in the range of 5 to 15, and contemplated y values are in the range of 1 to 4. Multiple stitch formations can also be used (e.g., following an x+y/m+n/etc. configuration). The resulting weft-inserted warp knit fabric possesses superior dimensional stability and internal geometry, while maintaining the tearability requisite for a hand-tearable tape product.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an improved substrate for pressuresensitive adhesive tapes, which utilizes one or more unique combinationstitch formations to secure the yarns in a weft-inserted warp knit(WIWK) fabric. The combination stitch, as will be described herein,produces a tape that exhibits greater dimensional stability and that isless likely to experience problems such as stringing or neck-down. Thesefeatures are attained while maintaining the requisite tearability inboth the horizontal and vertical directions.

BACKGROUND

Pressure sensitive tapes having a fabric layer between two or morepolymeric layers (such as films, adhesives, etc.) are well known.Previous efforts to create these types of pressure sensitive tapes have,in large part, included a woven substrate as the textile component. Suchsubstrates are susceptible to raveling along the cut edges of thefinished tape. For this reason, woven substrates used in tapes aregenerally treated at the edges, for example, by tucking the edges orotherwise sealing them, to minimize this problem.

More recently, it was discovered that an acceptable tape substrate couldbe manufactured using a weft-inserted warp knit fabric as the textilereinforcing component. Generally, the existing weft-inserted warp knitfabric performs well for its intended purposes. It is easily torn inboth horizontal and vertical directions, and it adheres well to a widevariety of surfaces. Such a tape is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,017,425, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Despite its acceptable performance, the previous weft-inserted warp knitfabric exhibits several problems that are the result of the fabric'srelative lack of dimensional stability. Because the chain stitches inthe weft-inserted warp knit fabric run vertically through the fabricwithout any interlocking between chains, there is a tendency for theyarns to shift horizontally during manufacture of either the fabric orthe tape. As a result, two situations are observed. First, it isdifficult to handle the fabric substrate after it is wound onto atake-up roll without shifting the stitch yarns. Second, because of thefabric's shifted yarns, the finished tape often lacks uniform internalgeometry, a visually apparent flaw that, if severe, can result in thefinished tape being rejected as “off-quality.”

Another problem results from the fabric's relative lack of dimensionalstability. This issue is known as “stringing,” a condition that occursduring processing if the film that provides the outer surface of thetape is not properly aligned with the fabric. In this situation, the rawedges of the fabric are left exposed, and the loose yarns (that is,those not secured to the film) slide off the fabric as it passes overthe calendar roll. As the master roll is wound, these loose ends on theedges of the fabric can become tangled with one another or, even worse,can become adhered to the adhesive side of the roll. In many instances,especially when the strings on the edge of the fabric become adhered tothe underside of the tape, the stringing is so significant that thesmaller rolls made from the outermost edges of the master roll must bediscarded. This waste is a significant problem for tape manufacturers.

One contemplated approach for solving the stringing problem is toinclude a plurality of tricot stitches in the weft-inserted warp knitfabric substrate. This has the effect of locking adjacent walestogether, so that shifting and stringing are substantially reduced.However, replacing all of the chain stitches with tricot stitchesresults in a condition commonly known as “neck-down”, in which thefabric telescopes or collapses inward on itself to create a narrowerthan desired width. Clearly, this tendency would not be acceptable inproduction of a flat tape that must be rolled up on itself forpackaging. As a further complication, a tricot knit fabric is morelikely to be difficult to tear uniformly.

The present disclosure addresses and overcomes these problems.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a tape that comprises a weft-insertedwarp knit fabric, which utilizes a combination stitch to secure thewales of the fabric. The combination stitch comprises a majority ofsuccessive chain stitches that are used in conjunction with a minorityof subsequent successive tricot stitches, such that the stitchconfiguration follows the expression x+y, where x is the number ofsuccessive chain stitches and y is the number of subsequent successivetricot stitches.

When the fabric is knit on machines having pattern wheels that controlthe stitch formation, the x and y values are preferably based on thenumber of slots found in standard pattern wheels (typically, 12 or 16).In particular, x+y or a multiple of x+y must equal the number of slotsin the pattern wheel. A particularly preferred embodiment is that casefor which y=1. Accordingly, when y=1, the preferred x values for a12-slot pattern wheel are 5 and 11, and the preferred x values for a16-slot pattern wheel are 7 and 15. As will be discussed later, a 3+1stitch configuration results in a fabric with unacceptable “neck-down.”

Alternatively, one skilled in the art may substitute a pattern chain forthe pattern wheel described above. The chain could possess the samenumber of links as the pattern wheel has slots. In a second embodiment,the chain could possess more links than that of the pattern wheel byusing one or more idler rolls to provide support for a longer length(that is, more links), thereby extending the stitch configurationrepeats that may be achieved. A pattern chain could be used to create awide range of stitch configurations, including, by way of example onlyand not as limitations, x+y stitch configurations in which the x valuein the stitch is the range of 5 to 15 and the y value is in the range of1 to 4.

Newer knitting machines replace pattern wheels or chains with electroniccontrol systems. In these systems, there are far greater possibilitiesfor the stitch configurations that may be achieved. The x+y stitchconfigurations described herein can easily be reproduced using thesetypes of systems as well.

By using a stitch pattern that combines a majority of successive chainstitches with a minority of subsequent successive tricot stitches, andpreferably using a stitch pattern having an x+y configuration, aweft-inserted warp knit fabric is created that possesses superiordimensional stability and internal geometry, while maintaining thetearability requisite for a hand-tearable tape product. Further, thegauge (i.e., the thickness) of the tape is substantially the same as theprevious weft-inserted warp knit fabric substrates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become readilyapparent from the detailed description included in the specification,with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional, schematic view of a pressure sensitivetape;

FIG. 2 is a point diagram of one embodiment of a combination stitchdescribed herein, where the stitch configuration includes 7 chainstitches and 1 tricot stitch;

FIG. 3 is a point diagram of a second embodiment of a combination stitchdescribed herein, where the stitch configuration includes 15 chainstitches and 1 tricot stitch;

FIG. 4 is a point diagram of another embodiment of a combination stitchdescribed herein, where the stitch configuration includes 5 chainstitches and 1 tricot stitch;

FIG. 5 is a point diagram of yet another embodiment of a combinationstitch described herein, where the stitch configuration includes 11chain stitches and 1 tricot stitch;

FIG. 6 is a point diagram of a fabric in which a 7+1 combination stitchdescribed herein is used on the selvedges and a conventional chainstitch is incorporated in the body of the fabric;

FIG. 7A is a photograph of a conventional weft-inserted warp knit fabricthat has been subjected to dimensional stability testing; and

FIG. 7B is a photograph of a weft-inserted warp knit fabric utilizing acombination stitch described herein, in which the fabric has beensubjected to dimensional stability testing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As is well known in the trade, the pressure sensitive tape 10 ismanufactured in wide widths and then cut to the desired width for thedesired use. As shown in FIG. 1, the tape 10 consists of a base layer ofa film 12, a carrier layer of a weft-inserted warp knit fabric 14, and alayer of a pressure sensitive adhesive 16. In one embodiment, film layer12 comprises polyethylene having a thickness of about three thousandthsof an inch (“mils”), although other film materials and thicknesses maybe used.

The fabric that is used to create the finished tape product is producedbasically as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,425, with the exceptionbeing the inclusion of one or more combination stitches that arediscussed herein. The fabric is knit on a weft-insertion, warp knittingmachine designed to allow the insertion of five to twelve picks perinch, and preferably nine picks per inch.

A typical weft-insertion, warp knit machine arrangement includes aplurality of guide bars that supply warp yarns to a row of needles toform the WIWK fabric. Generally, a WIWK fabric has sets of warp and weftyarns held together by a stitch yarn. The pattern of the stitch yarn canbe varied. A typical WIWK fabric that is commonly used as a tapesubstrate has only two yarns: a weft yarn and a stitch yarn, which formsthe warp.

The fabric, as it is being knitted, is supplied outwardly from theneedles and sequentially over a driven roll, an idler roll, and a seconddriven roll to a supply roll. The sinker bar is set in a fixed position,and a fabric hold-down bar is used to press down on the newly formedloops as they are formed, thereby preventing them from breaking out asthey are released from the needle. The fabric hold-down bar consists ofa plurality of blocks interconnected and held in place by suitablescrews adjacent one another to hold down the fabric loops all the wayacross the knitting machine.

The stitch yarns (that form the warp of the knit fabric) are preferablycomprised of continuous filament polyester yarns having a size in therange of 20 denier to 150 denier and more preferably a size around 40denier. “Wales” is another term used to describe the rows of stitchesthat are present in the machine direction.

In conventional manner, the weft yarn is inserted while the yarn loopsare being formed. The weft-inserted yarns, which are part of the coursesof the WIWK fabric, preferably comprise a textured continuous filamentpolyester yarn having a size in the range of 20 denier to 300 denier andmore preferably a size around 150 denier.

Although the preferred yarn type for this application is polyester,other thermoplastic yarn types known to those of skill in the art, suchas nylon and polypropylene, blends thereof, or blends of these yarntypes with cotton (e.g., poly/cotton), could be used for either the warpor weft yarns. The yarns for both the warp and weft could be textured oruntextured.

A hook engages the stitching yarn in the guide bars and pulls it into aloop down through the previously formed loop on the fixed sender bar. Inconventional manner, the weft yarns have been laid in on the back sideof the needles. The knit fabric is pulled away from the needles by thedrive roll, and the needle moves upwardly through the loop while thefingers of the fabric hold-down bar maintain a downward pressure on thefabric. Then the guide bars are swung through and around the needles andback again to form another loop in the hook or eye of the needle. Theneedles are retracted to allow the loop to be knocked over or cast offas the needle drops down, and the closing wire engages the hook or eyeto keep the newly formed loop in position until the action is startedover again with the next stitch. It should be noted that during thiswhole operation the sinker bar remains fixed, and the hold-down barremains engaged on the previously formed loops to prevent them frombreaking out after being cast off the needle.

To create the combination stitch described herein, the stitch yarn thatconnects a first row of stitches to an adjacent row of stitches createsa chain stitch for a number of successive courses (e.g., seven) beforeperforming a tricot stitch for some fewer number of subsequentsuccessive courses (preferably one). In one embodiment, this stitch yarnis controlled by a pattern wheel, which moves the stitching yarn barover one needle to create the tricot stitch. (As has been discussed,pattern chains or computer-controlled systems may also be used.) Afterthe tricot stitch is completed, the yarn is moved back to its originalposition. The pattern of chain stitches and tricot stitches is thenrepeated.

The combination stitch can be used across the entire width of the fabricor in only one or more localized areas. One preferred embodiment includethe combination stitch merely along the outermost edges as shown in FIG.6 (in an area typically referred to as a selvedge), which would requirethe use of a second knitting bar.

In one embodiment, the combination stitch comprises a majority ofsuccessive chain stitches that are used with a minority number ofsubsequent successive tricot stitches, such that the stitchconfiguration follows the expression x+y, where x is the number ofsuccessive chain stitches and y is the number of subsequent successivetricot stitches. The x and y values are preferably based on the numberof slots in standard pattern wheels (typically, 12 or 16), when aknitting machine having a pattern wheel is used. In particular, x+y or amultiple of x+y must equal the number of slots in the pattern wheel.Either one or two cycles of the combination stitch may be used.Accordingly, when y=1, the preferred x values for a 12-slot patternwheel are 5 and 11, and the preferred x values for a 16-slot patternwheel are 7 and 15. These stitches are illustrated in FIGS. 2-5.

Employing a WIWK machine having a pattern wheel limits the availablecombinations of stitch configurations that may be used, because the x+yexpression must be equal to a factor of the number of slots in thepattern wheel. However, using a pattern chain or electronic controlremoves these limitations. With these kinds of systems, there are morechoices for the x and y values used in the stitch configuration. Asdescribed herein, a WIWK fabric with a 3+1 stitch configuration resultsin excessive neck-down. Therefore, stitch configurations where x valuesare at least 5 are anticipated to provide adequate performance. These xvalues include integers in the range of 5 to 15, and the y values are inthe range of 1 to 4. Accordingly, by way of example and not limitation,a 14+1, 14+2, 14+3, or 14+4 stitch configuration could be used.

One contemplated alternative to the x+y stitch configuration discussedherein is a variation in which two or more combination stitches areused. A fabric having multiple combination stitch configurations couldbe created in which, for example, a first combination stitch having ax+y pattern is followed by a second combination stitch having an a+bpattern, where x and a represent the number of successive chain stitchesand y and b represent the number of subsequent successive tricotstitches, and x is not necessarily equal to a and y is not necessarilyequal to b. Other stitch configurations could also be used (e.g., anm+n, where m and n are different integers and are not necessarily equalto their predecessors). The patterns could be chosen from anycombination of stitch configurations having numbers of chain stitchesand tricot stitches in the preferred ranges described herein. Ascontemplated herein, the values for the number of successive chainstitches (represented by x, a, and m) are integers in the range of 5 to15, and the values for the number of subsequent successive tricotstitches (represented by y, b, and n) are integers in the range of 1 to4.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 2 shows a point diagram of the 7+1stitch described above. As can be seen, the stitch yarn is used tocreate seven chain stitches before moving over one yarn and creating atricot stitch. The tricot stitch connects adjacent wales to one another,thereby creating a more dimensionally stable fabric.

FIG. 3 shows a point diagram of a 15+1 stitch configuration, in whichthe stitch yarn is used to create fifteen chain stitches before movingover one yarn and creating a tricot stitch. As before, the tricot stitchis used to connect adjacent wales to one another.

FIG. 4 shows a point diagram of a 5+1 stitch configuration. In thisinstance, the stitch yarn is used to create five chain stitches beforemoving over one yarn and creating a tricot stitch.

FIG. 5 shows a point diagram of an 11+1 stitch configuration. In thiscase, the stitch yarn is used to create eleven chain stitches beforemoving over one yarn and creating a tricot stitch.

As described above, the combination stitch configuration can be usedacross the width of the fabric. Alternately, the combination stitch canbe utilized only in a localized area of the fabric, such as theselvedges, with chain stitches being used in the remainder of the fabric(as shown in FIG. 6). The use of two different knitting bars would berequired in this case. As mentioned, the selvedge area can range in sizefrom a minimum of two needles wide to an upper bound of two or moreinches, depending on manufacturer preference. As has been mentioned,stringing is a problem primarily associated with loose yarns in theselvedge. Having the combination stitch present in the selvedge areas ofthe fabric effectively eliminates this problem. It has been found thatan effective solution can be provided with localized use of the stitch,as well as uniform use of the stitch across the width of the fabric.

Once the fabric has been knitted, the production of the tape can begin.A typical process for production is described as follows. The fabric issupplied from a supply roll and is mated with a polyethylene film from asecond supply roll at the nip of two calender rolls. The polyethylenefilm forms the face of the finished tape. A kiss roll positioned behindthe first calender roll supplies a pressure sensitive adhesive, which ispressed into and through the fabric to laminate the fabric to the basefilm. The pressure sensitive adhesive utilized herein is one of a numberof adhesives known to those of skill in the art. By way of example,rubber gum adhesives and non-latex-based synthetic adhesives aresuitable for use herein.

Thus, when the combined components are allowed to set after passingthrough the nip of the calender rolls, a pressure sensitive tape isprovided. The completed tape is then taken up as a master roll, readyfor slitting.

EXAMPLE 1

A weft-inserted, warp knit fabric was created, having a 18×7.5construction, using 150 denier textured continuous polyester filamentyarns as the weft-inserted yarns and 40 denier continuous filamentpolyester yarns as the stitch yarns. The fabric included a combinationstitch having a 7+1 configuration. The fabric was made on a Libaweft-insertion warp knit machine, having a 16-slot pattern wheel.

The resulting fabric was manufactured into a pressure sensitive adhesivetape as described previously, using a 3 mil polyethylene film and arubber gum adhesive. During the production of the tape, the fabric ofExample 1 effectively eliminated the problem with stringing on the edgesof the master roll.

EXAMPLE 2

A weft-inserted, warp knit fabric was created, having a 18×7.5construction, using 150 denier textured continuous polyester filamentyarns as the weft-inserted yarns and 40 denier continuous filamentpolyester yarns as the stitch yarns. The fabric included a combinationstitch having a 3+1 configuration. The fabric was made on a Libaweft-insertion warp knit machine, having a 16-slot pattern wheel.

The fabric of Example 2 was not made into a pressure sensitive adhesivetape, because it exhibited too high a degree of neck-down.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE A

A weft-inserted, warp knit fabric was created, having a 18×7.5construction, using 150 denier textured continuous polyester filamentyarns as the weft-inserted yarns and 40 denier continuous filamentpolyester yarns as the stitch yarns. The fabric included chain stitchesthroughout. The fabric was made on a Liba weft-insertion warp knitmachine, having a 16-slot pattern wheel.

The resulting fabric was manufactured into a pressure sensitive adhesivetape as described previously, using a 3 mil polyethylene film and arubber gum adhesive. During the production of the tape, the fabric ofComparative Example A exhibited some problems with stringing on theedges of the master roll.

Dimsensional Stability Comparison

To evaluate the dimensional stability of the fabric before it is madeinto a tape, a Fabric Shift Tester, Model 7730, as manufactured byUnited States Testing Company, Inc. of Hoboken N.J. was used. Thisequipment is the same as specified by ASTM D1336 for testing the shiftof yarns in a woven fabric. Since the yarns of a weft-inserted, warpknit fabric in this construction range are much more apt to shift thanthose of a woven fabric, the procedure for testing as in ASTM D1336 wasmodified slightly.

Ordinarily, the fabric shift tester provides for a frame that thesubject fabric is attached into and a rubber nip, resulting from a fixedcylindrical piece of rubber and a second cylindrical piece of rubber ona pendulum attachment that, when dropped against the first cylinder,forms the nip. A weight is provided to place on top of the pendulum armfor increasing the pressure in the nip. A mechanism is provided fortranslating the fabric in the frame through the rubber nip. The frame istranslated through the nip twice at one location and then moved to asecond location on the other side of the fabric and again translatedthrough the nip twice so that two opposing sides of the fabric aredistorted. The amount of distortion is then measured.

In our procedure, the pendulum is not engaged so that the fabric is notin a nip but only tensioned (by the frame) across the lower rubbercylinder. The frame is translated over the lower rubber cylinder in onlyone location once (instead of twice).

The slippage of the warp yarns for the fabrics of Example 1 andComparative Example A were tested (that is, before the fabrics were madeinto tapes). In the area of the fabric that was distorted by the rubbercylinder, the number of warp yarns per inch were counted and compared tothe original number of warp yarns per inch. TABLE 1 Sample UndistortedWarp Yarns/inch Distorted Warp Yarns/inch Comparative 18  8-10 Sample AExample 1 18 0-3

The fabrics of Comparative Sample A and Example 1, after testing, areshown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, respectively. In FIG. 7A, which depictsComparative Sample A after distortion testing, one observes an area inwhich the vertical courses are bunched away from the area in which thenip was positioned. This is the result of pressure being applied to themultiple rows of (previously) parallel and unconnected chain stitches.

FIG. 7B depicts the present fabric, including a 7+1 stitchconfiguration, after distortion testing. In the center portion of thephotograph, one observes some bunching of the vertical courses to eitherside of the area in which the nip was positioned. Whereas very fewvertical rows remained in the tested area of the fabric of FIG. 7A, manymore vertical courses remained in the tested area of the fabric of FIG.7B. It can be concluded, therefore, that the fabric of FIG. 7B, whichincludes the combination stitch described herein, is more dimensionallystable than the conventional fabric of FIG. 7A.

Tensile Strength Comparison

Using the tapes created according to Example 1 and Comparative Sample A,in which the respective fabrics were incorporated in the processdescribed herein, a comparison of tensile strength was conducted.

Tensile strength is a measure of the pounds of force required to breakthe finished tape under pressure in a certain direction. This testmeasures the forced required to break the finished tape in the warpdirection. The tensile strength test was conducted according to ASTMD5035. Five samples of each fabric were tested, with the average of themeasurements being shown in TABLE 2. TABLE 2 Sample Tensile Strength(lbf) Comparative Sample A 42.3 Example 1 36.9 ± 0.48

The fabric of Example 1 exhibits slightly less tensile strength thanthat of Comparative Sample A, but was still determined to be sufficientfor the application.

Tear Strength Comparison

Using the tapes created according to Example 1 and Comparative Sample A,in which the respective fabrics were incorporated in the processdescribed herein, a comparison of tear strength was made.

Tear strength is a measure of the pounds of force required to tear thefinished tape in a particular direction. In this test, which wasconducted according to ASTM D573, the tapes were torn in the horizontaldirection (that is, across the wales). Five samples of each fabric weretested, with the average of the measurements being shown in TABLE 3.TABLE 3 Sample Tear Strength (lbf) Comparative Sample A 1.57 Example 11.43 ± 0.63

The results of this comparison show that there was no statisticaldifference in the tear strength between the tapes made from the fabricsof Example 1 and Comparative Sample A.

Gauge Comparison

“Gauge” is another term for a measure of thickness of the finished tape(i.e., the fabric after lamination and application of adhesive). Theresults are achieved by measuring the tape's thickness with amicrometer. The measurements are made in thousandths of an inch(“mils”).

It is important to control the gauge of the finished tape, so that thediameter of a roll of finished tape having a certain length remainssubstantially similar to that produced using the fabric of ComparativeSample A. The measurements are shown below in TABLE 4. TABLE 4 SampleGauge (mils) Tape made according to 8.8 Comparative Sample A Tape madeaccording to 8.2 Example 1

The results indicate that the tape made using the fabric of Example 1 issubstantially similar in thickness to the tape made using the fabric ofComparative Sample 1. This result is positive for the tape manufacturer.

It is contemplated that the resulting tape made with the fabricdescribed herein can be employed for many uses such as duct tape,packaging tape, medical tape, veterinary tape, athletic tapes, carpettape, etc.

The resultant tape made from a weft-inserted warp knit fabric having astitch configuration of x+y (or multiple stitch configurations, such asx+y/a+b/m+n/etc.) as described herein exhibits greater dimensionalstability and is less likely to exhibit stringing during manufacture.Furthermore, the weft-inserted warp knit fabric described herein doesnot adversely affect the finished tape's tear strength, tensilestrength, or gauge. For these reasons, the tape reinforcement representsan advance over the prior art.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A pressure sensitive adhesive tape, said tapecomprising: (a) a base film layer; (b) a carrier layer consisting of aweft-inserted warp knit fabric; and (c) a pressure sensitive adhesiveapplied to and through said carrier layer to said film layer; whereinsaid weft-inserted warp knit fabric has a plurality of weft yarns and aplurality of stitch yarns, each of said stitch yarns having a stitchformation that comprises at least one combination of successive chainstitches and at least one tricot stitch after said at least onecombination of successive chain stitches.
 10. The pressure sensitiveadhesive tape of claim 9, wherein said stitch formation has an x+yconfiguration, where x represents the number of successive chainstitches and y represents the number of subsequent successive tricotstitches, and where x is in the range of 5 to 15 and y is in the rangeof 1 to
 4. 11. The pressure sensitive adhesive tape of claim 10, whereinsaid stitch formation has a 7+1 configuration.
 12. The pressuresensitive adhesive tape of claim 9, wherein said stitch formationincludes multiple stitch configurations.
 13. The pressure sensitiveadhesive tape of claim 9, wherein said stitch formation is localized inareas of said carrier fabric.
 14. The pressure sensitive adhesive tapeof claim 9, wherein said carrier fabric comprises yarns selected fromthe group consisting of polyester, nylon, polypropylene, blends thereof,and blends thereof with cotton.
 15. The pressure sensitive adhesive tapeof claim 9, wherein said film layer comprises polyethylene.
 16. Thepressure sensitive adhesive tape of claim 9, wherein said pressuresensitive adhesive is selected from the group consisting of rubber gumadhesives and non-latex-based synthetic adhesives.
 17. The pressuresensitive adhesive tape of claim 9, wherein said tape comprises: (a) abase film layer comprising polyethylene; (b) a carrier layer consistingof a weft-inserted warp knit fabric; and (c) a rubber gum adhesiveapplied to and through said carrier layer to said film layer; whereinsaid weft-inserted warp knit fabric has a plurality of weft yarns and aplurality of stitch yarns, each of said stitch yarns having a stitchformation that comprises seven successive chain stitches and one tricotstitch after said seven successive chain stitches.